When we make friends and form connections, what is something that you look for when talking with others? Is it their sincerity, goofiness, their energetic persona? There are many variables that make up someone’s personality, but in the end it all boils down to if the person you are talking to is a ‘good person.’ Individuals have a different standard of what a good person is, purely based on their own perception of a person or interactions with others.
“When determining if someone is a good person, I look for qualities like empathy, honesty, loyalty and respect,” said junior Paisley Koch.
There are many things that make someone a good person. A good person, by internet definition, is someone who has positive qualities that not only benefit themselves but the people around them. Core qualities, as studies have shown, are honesty, compassion, kindness, empathy and integrity.
“Someone who tells you what you need to hear rather than what you want to hear is a good example of a true friend,” said junior Ivanelys Ramos-Lebron.
Just as there are qualities that define a good person, there are qualities that define a ‘bad person.’ While the definition of a bad or good person is up to the individual evaluating, there are clear characteristics that mark a person as ‘bad.’ A bad person is defined as someone who constantly acts in harmful or morally wrong ways. This kind of behavior causes distress and damage to personal relationships. Characteristics include harmful actions, dishonesty, acting cruel or selfish, and lacking empathy.
“I tend to avoid people who are generally negative and bring me down with them,” said Koch.
The idea of a good person is more likely to vary because of an individual’s personal beliefs. There are qualities that someone might find unacceptable in an individual while another finds the qualities tolerable. Regardless of opinion, a good person should treat others with respect, have compassion and have the ability to be honest with their peers and friends. Personality traits affect people and alter their perception of the world, meaning bad behavior can bring out negative qualities in someone, while good qualities bring out the best in others.
